The Connection

Herndon community art gallery ArtSpace Herndon opened a new exhibit on Nov. 3,. Ethereal and Natural Reactions, a dual exhibition highlighting creativity in the form of abstract contemporary paintings by artist Anne Cherubim. In addition, this exhibit includes sculpture that focuses on the beauty of rust as a surface treatment by sculptor Brian Kirk. This exhibit is on display at ArtSpace Herndon from Nov. 3 to Dec. 8, with an opening reception on Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m.

Anne Cherubim is a Canadian artist born of Sri Lankan parents who is currently residing in the United States. Her background provides the unique lens through which she sees the world. Cherubim's painting features layers of color that seem to recede into painting, demonstrating depth beyond the surface. Though she has been an artist for many years, her professional pursuit of it began more recently. Anne Cherubim has enjoyed exhibiting her work locally and internationally. She is a Resident Artist at Artists and Makers Studios in Rockville, Md.

Brian Kirk reshapes steel into new forms using blacksmithing techniques that focus on the beauty of rust as a surface treatment. Natural reaction refers to the oxidation process that occurs when combining water with the iron atoms present in steel. Kirk enjoys working with a variety of art-making processes, including welded metal, stone carving, ceramics, printmaking, encaustic painting and mixed media. Kirk obtained his B.F.A. from The George Washington University and his M.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University where he taught sculpture from 2003 to 2012. He has been a fellow for the Japanese Fulbright Teaching program in Shizuoka, Japan, and in the Wheedon Asian Studies program in Beijing, China. He teaches art at Stone Bridge High School, where he is the Fine Arts Department chair and teaches metal sculpture at the Art League School in Alexandria.

Tickets are on sale for jazz vocal stylist Kitt Potter Jazzart show at ArtSpace Herndon on Sunday, Nov. 15. Kitt Potter will be accompanied by jazz great Wayne Wilentz on piano, David Jernigan on bass, and the show-stopping Douglas Richardson on drums. Seating starts at 4:30 p.m. with tickets $15.

Council for the Arts of Herndon is a recipient of a grant of $10,000 to host The Big Read in Herndon. A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Managed by Arts Midwest, this initiative offers grants to support innovative community reading programs designed around a single book. Council for the Arts of Herndon is one of 75 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2015 and June 2016. The Big Read in Herndon will focus on “Bless Me, Ultima” by Rudolfo Anaya. Activities will take place over March and April of 2016.

“We have been offered a great opportunity to engage our entire community in a discussion about art and community. Too often we become entrenched in our own tiny sphere of activity. This broad–ranging program will engage all the local artistic and civic organizations and will utilize venues such as the Herndon Fortnightly Library, the NextStop Theatre and ArtSpace Herndon,” said executive director Signe Friedrichs of the Council for the Arts of Herndon.